D.A. fan is back for an ME1 Text Only 'Let's Play' (page 51)

Whew! That's was kinda intense.But you did quite well.I was fortunate to not have anyone die my first time. Was still nervous through the whole thing though.

Pretty sure that's a bug. I've gotten her line after the SM before, but it seems to get overridden by "hey" for some reason. A suggestion going into 3: might be good to keep your Shepard's face code handy, in case she doesn't import properly.

dragontartare

I did everyone's LM though... And although the import gave me a splash in each category when I began, I was max paragon at the end and 60% renegade. I don't think the import gave me that much of a gain. At the start, I was picking neutral options most of the time. Then I was picking Paragon options most of the time. By the end, I was picking a mix of all three. I think it was more timing of the LMs? I did them kinda late for the two arguments: Miranda vs Jack and Tali vs Legion, with the latter not being able to happen till pretty much end game anyway, I'm not sure how I could have messed that one up without being Neutral the entire game.

I haven't started. I took a break to eat and call my husband. I want to write up my impressions of ME2, and then start ME3.

So, that was a vote for staying in this thread, right? You had started two different ones so I thought I'd mimic. But you're all here already

So... Impressions.

Shepherd is not the Warden. Not Hawke. Not even the Quiz. S/he is a soldier and the way each dialogue line was spoken kinda drilled that in. Sometimes, it really worked. But other times, when I feel like Joker is being hilarious and I just want to joke right back- na uh. DENIED. I got be the big boss lady who tells people to settle down and get focused. It makes no sense for Shepherd to not want to be a leader, so that dialogue isn't available. But maybe..

I mean, they could have done something different here. Shepherd gave her life to save the world from Soveriegn and the Geth. She wasn't even allowed to stay dead, some asshole science lab smacked her back together and put her to work, manipulating her the whole time. She didn't even work for the Alliance/The Council anymore. This could have been a point where s/he stood and said, "I've given enough. I'm going to sit this one out." LOL then there'd be no game but I really wish ANY hint of resentment was allowed to come through about, well, anything. Even if it was just a conversation with Joker about some doubts, that owuld have made me happy.

And Shepherd isn't funny. Ever. All the companions, but especially Joker, got to be these gregarious hilarious unique people and I just got to be... The Intense Soldier of "Get back to work and move out." Which I guess matched Thane's comment about my being a Death Angel ... but that was the only benefit! I don't know if playing 100% Renegade would have made it better. Being a jerk can sometimes be pretty funny, but I wish that isn't what it would take.

Okay then! Impressions given, dinner eaten, phone used for making updates on thread is charging.

Let's go start Mass Effect 3.

By the way, if I don't bawl big sad tears at Thane's death, I am crying foul. MAKE ME SAD BIOWARE. Then we know you've touched my heart.

These complaints about Shep are pretty common. A lot of people feel like Shep is too bland and generic. While I wasn't particularly bothered by this, I do agree with it.
There are a few chances to be funny but they really are far and few between and most of them are more snark than real humor. That said, Shepard can pull off a pretty great prank in Thane's LM.

Yea, I wonder if they ran out of time or budget but I find it weird that mordin is the only one with multiple busy lines. Seems like an easy thing to do for the rest of them.
In any case, that is one issue, I feel they really fixed in ME3. You'll see.
What did you think of the music so far (especially compared to DA)?

So... Impressions.

Shepherd is not the Warden. Not Hawke. Not even the Quiz. S/he is a soldier and the way each dialogue line was spoken kinda drilled that in. Sometimes, it really worked. But other times, when I feel like Joker is being hilarious and I just want to joke right back- na uh. DENIED. I got be the big boss lady who tells people to settle down and get focused. It makes no sense for Shepherd to not want to be a leader, so that dialogue isn't available. But maybe..

I mean, they could have done something different here. Shepherd gave her life to save the world from Soveriegn and the Geth. She wasn't even allowed to stay dead, some asshole science lab smacked her back together and put her to work, manipulating her the whole time. She didn't even work for the Alliance/The Council anymore. This could have been a point where s/he stood and said, "I've given enough. I'm going to sit this one out." LOL then there'd be no game but I really wish ANY hint of resentment was allowed to come through about, well, anything. Even if it was just a conversation with Joker about some doubts, that owuld have made me happy.

And Shepherd isn't funny. Ever. All the companions, but especially Joker, got to be these gregarious hilarious unique people and I just got to be... The Intense Soldier of "Get back to work and move out." Which I guess matched Thane's comment about my being a Death Angel ... but that was the only benefit! I don't know if playing 100% Renegade would have made it better. Being a jerk can sometimes be pretty funny, but I wish that isn't what it would take.

A while back someone also said this was a short game. 4 Main Mission Main Plot Forward Momentum thinggies with a crap ton of companion content in between.

I liked the major choice missions best. Decided the fate of the Geth, The Krogan, The Quarians... I forget anything?

I really liked the Krogan. Had a lot of Star Trek Klingon similarities.

Jacob, Tali, Garrus, and Jack's missions were pretty dark but in a different way each time. I like just enough darkness to keep you aware of the losses. Not so much darkness it makes me cry for half an hour like in TW3.

Hearing Loghain's voice say things I liked for a change actually improved my opinion of Loghain. YEs, I know that makes no sense.

I was sad that the background dialogue of crewmen ran out pretty darn quick. Everyone's "I got nothing to say" was pretty lame, especially Garrus, EXCEPT for Mordin. His Go Away message always actually made me want to leave in alarm or amusement.

I never read a single codex, but I read all the messages. I liked my fish and space hamster. It was pretty clear from my suicide mission comments who I liked best among the companions.

Grading Graphics etc would be silly. The game graphics/CC creator were slightly better than DAO, DA2 was better, but this game came out before DA2.

I liked that the repeatable romance scene has three dialogue choices. I also liked that it wasn't just making out, at least, it wasn't with Thane. I got to sit with him, hold his hands, we asked how each of us were doing. There could have been coffee and it'd be a coffee date every time. The way his features changed when he said he wanted to see a desert was the most touching. The culmination scene was a bit...so so. I liked that Thane got to air his doubts/fears about dying. I'm annoyed I also couldn't be weak in front of my lover, but ya know.. I'm the solider, can't ever break.

Any questions about my thoughts on anything in particular, I will be happy to drag my memories up to let ya guys know.

Erg, late but:

There are actually 2 repeatable cuddle-like scenes with your LI after the SM. Just go to Shepard's cabin and next the terminal there will be an option to call Thane up, then activate the couch and the bed to see them.

Hope you enjoy 3 -- the ride isn't over yet!

dragontartare

Oh, I should buy Citadel if it's not included. Does any of the other content add more companion content or is it just another mission?

SpiritVanguard

Oh! I'll load back up and now and go do that!

That's what happens when I play ME2. I recruit only 8 squadmates which I have by the time I get to Horizon. I don't recruit anyone else. So somone dies because I don't have shields for the Normandy

WHAT.

*loads up ME2*

...

Well, those were some awkward animations